The Magpies' left-back believes competitive football as early as July is one of the key factors behind United's unbeaten start to the Premiership season.

For despite the fact that United fell at the final hurdle in their bid to qualify for the Uefa Cup, rival clubs are now still coming to terms with the pace of the new campaign.

"The Intertoto had its critics but we have a lot to thank the competition for," said Elliott as he looked ahead to Sunday's clash with West Ham and another opportunity to lay Newcastle's London ghost to rest.

"I've never felt so fit at the start of a season and the Intertoto gave us that match practice which you just don't get in a normal pre-season.

"The lads came into the Chelsea game full of confidence on the back of big wins in Lokeren and Munich and winning any match sets a positive precedent.

"There's no doubt in my mind that those games in July and August gave us a running start and we've managed to make that advantage count."

Elliott's fellow Geordie and current captain Alan Shearer was a self-confessed critic of United's decision to enter the Intertoto Cup.

But even Shearer concedes that the six European ties are currently counting in the Magpies' favour.

"The Intertoto has made us that little bit sharper as a team and I don't think many people would disagree with that," said the former England international.

"It's been good for us so far but I just hope it doesn't have an adverse effect later in the season."

Shearer's point is a valid one and this weekend's opponents know all about the pros and cons of an Intertoto Cup programme.

The Hammers enjoyed a superb start to last season but felt the strain after Christmas and finished the campaign flirting with relegation.

Bobby Robson's squad would appear to be better equipped to overcome any future tiredness and, with Kieron Dyer and Carl Cort to come back into the picture, the strength in depth is obvious.

Neither will be ready to contribute for several weeks but Elliott is confident Newcastle will still be in contention near the top of the table by the time his team-mates return.

"West Ham is a very, very hard place to go but the way we're looking at it reflects the confidence in the camp," added the former Bolton defender.

"We see it as a challenge and an early chance to get that awful London record out of our system.

"Even if you ignore the first three league games we gained enough from the 90 minutes against Manchester United to give us all the confidence we need.

"We can go anywhere and face anyone after that result and go there believing we will win."

Elliott is relishing his second spell at St James's Park but admits he must shoulder much of the responsibility for ensuring Newcastle maintain their form during the next few weeks.

"I'm not a young kid any more and that was the biggest challenge facing me when I came back to the club," added the former United trainee.

"There's much more responsibility on my shoulders because I'm expected to produce the goods from the start every week.

"That wasn't always the case when I was here before - I think I was still seen as somebody who could come in and do a job as and when it was required.

"I enjoy the extra pressure but it's easier when the team's going well and that goes for all of the lads. We cannot afford to blow it at West Ham but I really don't think we will." * United keepers Shay Given and Steve Harper are the special guests at tonight's monthly Radio Newcastle talk-in.

The event kicks off at 7.30pm at the Newcastle Irish Centre and tickets are available in advance. * Roy Keane claims Manchester United need to be "more boring" if they are going to win the Champions League again.

Keane feels a cavalier style has been United's undoing since they won the European Cup in 1999.

United's new pragmatic approach was obvious in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Lille at Old Trafford in the opening game of this season's campaign.

"Sometimes we need to be more boring, if that's the way you want to put it," said Keane.

"We can't be winning games 4-3 or 4-0 every week. We need to be more professional and that's maybe why we have come unstuck over the last few years. We've got to realise that a draw is not the end of the world and we've got to take it."